mnbsleeve

Marita, I'm sorry you're going through a hard time right now. Sounds like there are lots of changes in a short time. Don't be so hard on yourself. I don't know your age, but I know that as we get older it's a little harder to make friends. We have to be more proactive. But it's normal feeling that it's a time and energy investment. This surgery takes a great deal of time and energy too since we have to focus on healing, learning new eating, changing lifestyle etc. We go into a huge transition, not just weight loss! So be patient with yourself and take one day at a time! This board is a great place for support and information! It may help during this time of change. Best of luck on this journey!!!!!

I want to add to what Irene and Lynda already said, that I have noticed that our bodies continue to make adjustments to skin and shape after the weight has been lost. For example, I have two friends who lost significant weight (one about 50 lbs, the other about 80) and while flabby in the first year after loosing it, even though they both worked out with weights, after the first year it appeared to me that the skin got tighter somehow. It was especially noticeable in the face! During loss and the first year after I thougth, oh, oh, may need a tuck. But BOTH seemed to adjust quite a bit more. Same with skin color! So I am hopeful that the body rearranges itself more as time goes on. Again, as Irene and Lynda said, I think excercise is a big part of it, as is age! Since for some of us, some lost in elasticity and changes in shape are inevitable given our age!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the idea of just sipping (and I was told no more than 1 ounce every 8 to 10 minutes in the beginning) is more about the healing of the stomach than the stretching it per se. Obviously you don't want to overfill but it's because everything is swollen and raw.

I often will sip on some water BEFORE my meal arrives, or at home while preparing meals. I stop about 8 to 10 minutes before. At a restaurant, I time it as best I can. Somehow you develop a system and it becomes the new normal. Also, I cannot fit much food in so somehow I don't really have a desire to drink. But I have taken on occasion, as the poster above mentioned, a teeny, tiny sip just wet my mouth when I've eaten something a bit spicy or I just need that moisture - not really a sip. A couple of weeks ago, I completely forgot and at the very end of my meal, we were just waiting for the check and it had been a while since I had finished eating, I took a sip of water. WOW! I got a big stomach pain and it lasted for about 15 minutes! I don't know that the hec that was. I wasn't feeling stuffed or anything prior. But perhaps it took me over the top. I just don't know. But I don't want that to happen again! :-)

Hi Rebecca! It most likely is gas since it's still soon after the surgery. However, I was cautioned by my surgeon to take in about one oz. of Fluid every 7 to 8 minutes, not more nor sooner. In other words, take about 8 minutes or so to consume one oz, then start on the next or if you finished it in say 6 minutes, wait till the 8 minutes to start on the next ounce. I know, it sounds like so much work! It was the first few days. The focus is on sipping and moving/walking, sipping and walking, sipping and walking. This way you get all your fluids in too and it helps to move the gas out. The good news is that things get better and better literally day to day. Hang in there! Congratulations on your surgery!!!! You too MissE!!!! Best wishes to you both for a super speedy recovery. Once you get through this phase, you are so going to LOVE your sleeve!!!! :-)

I would do it again in a heat beat! I know that I would not have been able to loose this weight without it. I was (and am) very active. Before surgery, I had low blood presure, no cholesterol, normal blood sugar and worked out hard 4, 5 to 6 times per week. But it was sooo difficult to loose weight, especially the amount I had to loose. My cardiologist told me my body was working against me. I have PCOs and it seemed as the years went by I had to work harder and harder not to gain. Any slip would translate into a gain- albeit small, but then lots of work to get it off. So the only way I could keep the calories down enough and consistently enough has been this sleeve!!! I feel great and had no complications. I am a pretty slow looser, slower than those that say they are slow loosers LOL but I am very happy because I always remind myself how difficult it was pre-surgery. So all of this is gravy! Like someone else said above, I wish I could have done this sooner!!!!!!

That's great Bonbon!!!! More happy NSV's to come for you!!!!!!! Enjoy this great journey!!!!!

Treequeen! You look great! Congratulations! I love the black dress. You look soooo beautiful!!!!!

Meggie! I've followed your journey on YouTube! Congratulations lady!!!!! What an awesome accomplishement! You look sooo happy and full of life! Enjoy the new you!!!!!

Congratulations Kemo46! on both counts! You've lost 100 lbs pounds but it sounds like you've really accomplished some pretty amazing fitness goals! How awesome! You inspired me!

Buchannon!!! Wow! What a transformation! You look great!!! You were a good looking kid (I could be your mom, no offense ) before the weight and now you are even more so!!! You have a wonderful face and kind eyes aand your are looking GREAT!!! Good work! Congratulations!!!!!! Go rock that body!!!

Just wondering when/if others started to wean off of their PPI's? My surgeon said at about month six. I am there now but a little fearful to stop taking them. I'm wondering what others have experienced.

Sounds like you've been through quite the journey and you look GREAT! Looks like you are feeling pretty good too! I love the pics! That last one with your arms up is awesome! :-) Congratulations on everything you have accomplished. Enjoy the new you!

Diva! You look FANTASTIC!!! I know you credit your lipo but girl, you've put in some serious exercise and hard work to build that great behind of yours LOL I think "your lipos," as you describe them, look so good on you because you really formed an awesome foundation underneath. You go!!!!! Strut that stuff!!!! You look beautiful!

You look beautiful Newgirl! Congratulations!

Thanks a bunch guys! Sounds like I am going to have to try it and see. I never had problems with heart burn before surgery. It was very rare. I've done great on the PPI; never had hearburn nor feel uncomfortable after meals. But I'm going to go ahead and do every other day to start as per surgeon and see what happens. Sounds like worst case scenario I go back on but no other complications. I'm doing really well and didn't want to make any waves LOL. Thanks again to all!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS PURDY!!!! Please keep us posted with some maintenance tips! Enjoy the new you!!! You have earned it kiddo!!!!

Hi Lissa, don't know if this will help but I thought I would throw it in. I discovered a lactose intolerance and from the start had trouble even with the shakes. So cheeses, milk, yogurt... you name it, equaled "trouble." Sometimes eggs too. Interestingly enough, this has changed!!!! I was able to tolerate some cheeses first, then yogurt and now even milk! I'm not sure why this is, why it can change. My guess would be digestive enzymes getting back to normal. Hope you feel better soon kiddo!!!!!

I had similar pain, particularly about 4 weeks out after a sneeze! I was doing better and started up again. I also had a hard time bending down. I think you may just be having muscle pain where the incision was made. My surgeon at the time said I may have pulled the tissue a little but nothing serious. I think most of us also feel one particular incision more than others. I've heard people say that it's the bigger incision through where the stomach was removed. I know it was true for me. The incision to one side was the most "painful." Most of the others I could not really feel. So again, I suspect it's where more muscle tissue was cut. Having said all this, I am a big believer in checking things out with the doctor. It may give you peace of mind hearing from him/her. Congrats on your surgery and best wishes for a super speedy recovery!!!!!!

I had no drain and, like others, no sutures, just superglue! Also, I had no real incisions to speak of. I just have 4 little holes and one 1/4 inch or less incision. I had bigger scars from my gall bladder removal a few years back! and I thought they were small LOL It blows me away what can be done today in terms of technology for medical purposes. My surgery took about one hour.

Congratulations Kristy!!! You look incredible!!! I would not recognize you as the same person. You've really rocked this sleeve girl!!!!

I lost a lot of hair! and it started pretty much right away. However, I am just six months out and I noticed it has stopped falling out. That is, I have just a bit of hair in the shower when I shampo my hair, like pre-surgery, which is normal. Hair no longer falls out in my brush or just around me like it used to. I also have about 1/4 inch of regrowth all over my head. So all in all, it was not bad at all and totally worth it! :-) I use hair extentions on combs that look really natural to help my hair look fuller. I don't necesarilly use them daily though. They're super easy to put in. I just add a couple if I want some length or fullness.

Woo hoo Julie!!!! You go girl!!! I can imagine how great it must have felt to put on your daughter's belt! and on the second hole!!!! I would have loved to have seen your face in that moment! I love this NSV!

Fantastic CT Fats!!! Congratulations. Keep up the good work!!!!

What a great post Raine! Thank you!!!!!!!!